A SKU — stock keeping unit, usually pronounced "skew" — is a short, unique code you assign to each distinct product variant so you can identify and track it precisely. It is the difference between "the blue medium one" and a code that means exactly that and nothing else.
Good SKUs are human-readable and systematic: a pattern that encodes the product line, the attributes, and the variant lets you read a label and know what it is without a lookup. That structure pays off everywhere — barcodes, pick lists, marketplace listings, and reports all key off the SKU.
In Ardent Seller each variant can carry its own SKU, so a candle that comes in three scents and two sizes has six distinct SKUs, each with its own price and stock level. Designing a clean SKU scheme early saves a painful renaming exercise once the catalog grows.
Related terms
Variant
A specific version of an inventory item distinguished by attributes like size, color, or scent. Each variant can have its own SKU, price, and stock level.
Attributes
Custom properties you define to describe your inventory variants, such as color, size, scent, or material. Attributes help organize and filter your product catalog.
Finished Goods
Products you have manufactured or assembled from raw ingredients and components. These are the completed items ready for sale to customers.